scholarly journals Outcomes in Thoracolumbar and Lumbar Traumatic Fractures: Does Restoration of Unfused Segmental Mobility Correlated to Implant Removal Time?

Author(s):  
Jian Wu ◽  
Jun Zhu ◽  
Zhong Wang ◽  
Huaijian Jin ◽  
Yingbo Wang ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Wu ◽  
Jun Zhu ◽  
Zhong Wang ◽  
Huaijian Jin ◽  
Yingbo Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Posterior fixation without fusion can treat thoracolumbar and lumbar traumatic fractures effectively. However, whether patients benefit from implant removal, as well as the correlation between the range of motion (ROM) of the involved segments and the removal time, has not been determined. Methods Fifty consecutive cases with thoracolumbar traumatic fractures that had undergone implant removal at different times were enrolled. We found 17 patients (Group A), 21 patients (Group B), and 12 patients (Group C) underwent implant removal following the index surgery within 12 months, between 12 to 24 months, and over 24 months, respectively. Clinical and radiological outcomes, including visual analog scale (VAS) for back pain, patient satisfaction, the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) for quality of life and segmental ROM were analyzed. Results The average follow-up time was 9.1 ± 5.7 months after implant removal. There were no significant differences in VAS and patient satisfaction among the three groups at the same observation time points. Patients of group A gained the lowest ODI and highest EQ-5D scores after removal and at final follow-up than those in group B and C. The best ROM was obtained in Group A followed by Group B and C (11.5 ± 6.2°, 5.5 ± 1.6° and 2.4 ± 0.6°, respectively). Conclusions Immobilization of the involved segments over 24 months may lead to ankylosis. Regained segmental ROM is correlated negatively with implant removal time. Patients have implant removal within 12 months can gain a better quality of life.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adlai Katzenberg ◽  
Debdyuti Mukherjee ◽  
Peter J. Dudenas ◽  
Yoshiyuki Okamoto ◽  
Ahmet Kusoglu ◽  
...  

<p>Limitations in fuel cell electrode performance have motivated the development of ion-conducting binders (ionomers) with high gas permeability. Such ionomers have been achieved by copolymerization of perfluorinated sulfonic acid (PFSA) monomers with bulky and asymmetric monomers, leading to a glassy ionomer matrix with chemical and mechanical properties that differ substantially from common PFSA ionomers (e.g., Nafion™). In this study, we use perfluorodioxolane-based ionomers to provide fundamental insights into the role of the matrix chemical structure on the dynamics of structural and transport processes in ion-conducting polymers. Through <i>in-situ</i> water uptake measurements, we demonstrate that ionomer water sorption kinetics depend strongly on the properties and mass fraction of the matrix. As the PFSA mass fraction was increased from 0.26 to 0.57, the Fickian swelling rate constant decreased from 0.8 s<sup>-1</sup> to 0.2 s<sup>-1</sup>, while the relaxation rate constant increased from 3.1×10<sup>-3</sup> s<sup>-1</sup> to 4.0×10<sup>-3</sup>. The true swelling rate, in nm s<sup>-1</sup>, was determined by the chemical nature of the matrix; all dioxolane-containing materials exhibited swelling rates ~1.5 - 2 nm s<sup>-1</sup> compared to ~3 nm s<sup>-1</sup> for Nafion. Likewise, Nafion underwent relaxation at twice the rate of the fastest-relaxing dioxolane ionomer. Reduced swelling and relaxation kinetics are due to limited matrix segmental mobility of the dioxolane-containing ionomers. We demonstrate that changes in conductivity are strongly tied to the polymer relaxation, revealing the decoupled roles of initial swelling and relaxation on hydration, nanostructure, and ion transport in perfluorinated ionomers. </p>


2011 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 686-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling-Ling LI ◽  
Gao-Bao HUANG ◽  
Ren-Zhi ZHANG ◽  
Li-Qun CAI ◽  
Zhu-Zhu LUO ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Atsushi Kawamura ◽  
Yosuke Akiba ◽  
Masako Nagasawa ◽  
Makiko Takashima ◽  
Yoshiaki Arai ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karthik V. Hariharan ◽  
Michael G. Timko ◽  
Christopher G. Bise ◽  
Meenakshi Sundaram ◽  
Michael J. Schneider

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to establish the level of inter-examiner reliability for six common cervical manual and physical examination procedures used to assess the cervical spine. Materials: Reliability study that used a convenience sample of 51 patients between the ages of 16–70 years presenting with a chief complaint of neck pain. Two physical therapists independently performed the same series of cervical physical examination procedures on each of the participant. The clinicians were blinded to each other’s findings and the clinical status of the patient. Kappa coefficients (κ) were calculated for levels of agreement between the clinicians for each procedure. Results When assessing for asymmetrical motion, excellent levels of reliability (κ range: 0.88–0.96) were observed for the Bilateral Modified Lateral Shear (asymmetry criterion), Bilateral C2 Spinous Kick (asymmetry criterion) and Flexion-Rotation Tests. When pain provocation was used as the indicator of a positive test during palpation of the cervical facet joints, moderate to substantial levels of reliability (κ range: 0.53–0.76) were observed. When patients were instructed not to provide feedback to the clinicians about pain provocation during facet joint palpation and clinicians relied solely on their qualitative assessment of segmental mobility, the level of reliability was lower (κ range: 0.45–0.53). Due to 100 % prevalence of negative findings, Kappa values could not be calculated for the Sharp-Purser test or the Unilateral C2 Spinous Kick Test. Conclusions Most physical examination procedures examined in this study demonstrated moderate to excellent levels of inter-examiner reliability. Palpation for segmental mobility without pain provocation demonstrated a lower level of reliability compared to palpation for pain provocation. Correlation with clinical findings is necessary to establish validity and the applicability of these procedures in clinical practice.


Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 739
Author(s):  
Neil Tuttle ◽  
Kerrie Evans ◽  
Clarice Sperotto dos Santos Rocha

Tropism, or asymmetry, of facet joints in the cervical spine has been found to be related to degenerative changes of the joints and discs. Clinicians often assume that differences in segmental mobility are related to tropism. The aims of this study were to determine the relationship between asymmetry of facet joints in the sub-axial cervical spine and (1) segmental mobility and (2) spinal levels perceived by therapists to have limited mobility. Eighteen participants with idiopathic neck pain had MRIs of their cervical spine in neutral and at the end of active rotation. Angular movement and translational movement of each motion segment was calculated from 3D segmentations of the vertebrae. A plane was fitted to the facet on each side. Tropism was considered to be the difference in the orientation of the facet planes and ranged from 1 to 30° with a median of 7.7°. No relationships were found between the extent of tropism and either segmental movement or locations deemed to be symptomatic. Tropism in the sub-axial cervical spine does not appear to be related to segmental mobility in rotation or to levels deemed to be symptomatic.


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